Advanced Programming and User-defined Features in LightTools

This 3-day course is designed for current LightTools users who want to program user-defined features in LightTools. The course emphasizes hands-on computer workshop sessions. The course begins with a review of using Visual Basic for Applications to write macros to control LightTools and retrieve simulation results.

The user-defined features in LightTools are programmed as dynamic link libraries (DLLs); Visual Basic is used for this portion of the course. With user-defined optimization you can create customized variables, constraints, and merit functions for the LightTools optimizer to use. The user-defined optical properties allow you to program how light interacts with a zone. LightTools passes your routine information on the incident ray, and your routine computes the direction and properties of the outgoing ray, which is passed back to LightTools.

Course Information

Classes begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. Computers are provided for attendees. Attendees wishing to work independently are welcome to bring their own laptop and will receive a $200 discount on their registration.

Laptops must have Microsoft® Excel® and Visual Basic (Studio, Express, or Community Edition) installed as a PC application (if using a Mac, each must be running as a Windows® application). Users must have Administrator privileges on the PC. For additional information, please see the LightTools hardware/operating system requirements.

Registration Information

Who Should Attend?Anyone who uses LightTools now and wants to learn how to program the user-defined features in LightTools will benefit from this course. Familiarity with LightTools, the LightTools COM interface, and basic programming experience is assumed.

Directions and accommodation information will be faxed/mailed upon receipt of registration.

Registration and FeesThe fee for this short course is $1,200 ($1,000 if attendee provides his/her own laptop computer). This includes instruction, computer resources, course notes, lunch on three days and refreshments.

Attendance is limited, though minimum enrollments must be met. Pre-registration with payment must be made at least three weeks before the start of the courses. The fee is refundable up to that point. (A $200 fee is charged for later cancellations.)